Historical society exhibit salutes 'citizen-artist' Sugarman

Published 6:05 pm, Saturday, May 25, 2013

A photo of Tracy Sugarman and his wife Gloria celebrating Memorial Day 2011, part of a new exhibit dedicated to Sugarman's art and activism at the Westport Historical Society.
Photo: Contributed Photo

A photo of Tracy Sugarman and his wife Gloria celebrating Memorial...

The late Tracy Sugarman's family, gathered Friday at the Westport Historical Society for the opening of an exhibit of his work, from left: Suzanne Cole, Madeline Parrish, Loren Cole, his wife Gloria Sugarman and Rebecca Cooper.
Photo: Mike Lauterborn

The late Tracy Sugarman's family, gathered Friday at the Westport...

A painting of Westport Town Hall by Tracy Sugarman, part of a new exhibit about his life and work that opened Friday at the Westport Historical Society.
Photo: Mike Lauterborn

A painting of Westport Town Hall by Tracy Sugarman, part of a new...

Visitors to the Westport Histrorical Society watch a video interview of artist/activist Tracy Sugarman,part of a new exhibit about his work and life that opened Friday at the society.
Photo: Mike Lauterborn

Visitors to the Westport Histrorical Society watch a video...

A sketch of Martin Luther King Jr.by Tracy Sugarman in 1964 -- King had delivered a lecture in Westport -- part of a new exhibit at Westport Historical Society.
Photo: Mike Lauterborn

A sketch of Martin Luther King Jr.by Tracy Sugarman in 1964 -- King...

Dianne Wildman, who curated the new Tracy Sugarman exhibit at the Westport Historical Society, with Laurie Sugarman-Whittier, the artist's daughter. The show of the artist/activist's wrok opened Friday and runs through Sept. 2.
Photo: Mike Lauterborn

Family and friends of the late Tracy Sugarman gathered in the Mollie Donovan Gallery at the Westport Historical Society on Friday evening to celebrate the opening of an exhibit the noted illustrator/designer's life and work.

Displayed in the exhibit are photos, artwork and writings of the artist from different stages of his life, from his experience serving in the Navy during World War II, commercial art work for magazines, business and record labels, and his illustrative chronicles of the Civil Rights era of the 1960s.

Sugarman also documented poverty in Appalachia, the Malcolm X murder trial, life at the Rikers Island prison in New York and the Kennedy Space Center.

In addition to all the memorabilia, visitors to historical society can view a recent video interview with Sugarman, who died last Jan. 20, which recalls his spirit, energy and commitment.